In 1854 Jean Lambert Junion#J01 was thirty-eight years old living with a wife and six children in Corroy-le-Grand, Brabant, Belgium. At that time Belgium had been plagued with disease and economic hardship for many years.   Like many families in Belgium at that time “American fever” took hold and Jean looked to America for a better life.   In America, Wisconsin encouraged Belgium immigrates and even had advertising campaigns to encourage them.  In 1854 Jean with his wife Marie and their children Philippe, Marie, Xavier, Pierre, Jean and Josephine took a steamship to Canada, and then traveling by boat up the St. Lawrence River though Lake Erie, Lake Huron into Lake Michigan to Kewaunee Wisconsin where they settled.   Like many Belgium’s at that time, they were devoted Catholics. 

 

1861